Hay-rack.



.|. P. WATSON.

HAY RACK.

APPLICATION men AuG.28. 191s.

I. P. WATSON.

HAY Hman APPLICATION FILED AUG.28. I9I6.

Patented Mzby 8, 19W.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J- PWHTSON hso JAMES P. WATSON, OF BENTON, ILLINOIS.

HAY-RACK.

Leanser..

vSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 8, 19117.

Application filed August 28, 1916. lSerial No. 117,343.

To all lwhom 'it may concer/n.:

Be it known that I, JAMES l?. VVA'rsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Benton, in the county of Franklin and State of Iliinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hay-Racks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in hay racks and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which is capable, when not in use, of being folded or collapsed in order to occupy a minimum of space.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved hay rack whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device is rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

rlhe novel features of the invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

ln order that my invention may be the better understood, l will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a view in top, plan of a hay rack constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of my improved hay rack as herein embodied, one of the ladders being indicated by dotted lines in a partly folded position;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of' my improved hay rack as herein included; and

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of my imroved hay rack as herein disclosed in a folded or collapsed adjustment.

As herein embodied,l my improved hay rack comprises two complemental sections A of predetermined dimensions and having their opposed longitudinal margins pivotally engaged, as at 1, with an intermediate strip B, and it is to be noted that the hinged connections l are so positioned as to permit the sections A toV be folded inwardly one toward the other when not .in use so that the same may occupy a minimum of space, as is particularly illustrated in Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings,

Each of the sections A as herein embodied comprises the longitudinally disposed sills 2 preferably three in number and with which the cross beams 3 are engaged. The beams 3 have secured thereto the longitudinally disposed slats 4t. It is to be noted that the sills 2 extend beyond the end beams 3 for a purpose which will hereinafter be more fully set forth.

Hingedly engaged, as at 5, to the opposite ends of each of the sections A are the ladders L adapted to swing inwardly upon the sections, and it is to be observed that the intermediate strip B is of such a width as to compensate for said ladders L when the rack is in its collapsed or folded adjustment as disclosed in Fig. 4. The longitudinal members 6 extend beyond the pivoted ends of the ladders L as indicated at 7, and are adaptedto contact with the vextended portions of the sills 2 in order to brace the ladders when the same are in their extended or operative position.

The sills 2 are also provided with the depending blocks 8 which are adapted to engage the holsters of the vehicle in any desired manner and to maintain the rack at a predetermined elevation so that the outer longitudinal marginal portions of the rack, when in applied position, may overlie the supporting wheels.

I also find it of advantage to provide the outer corners of the sections A with the hook members 9 to afford means whereby the rack may be readily suspended within a barn or other place. In practice it is preferred that the hooks 9 be engaged with a conventional block and tackle so that the same may be quickly removed from applied position upon a wagon or returned thereto.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a hay rack constructed in accordance with my invention is of an extremely simple and comparatively inexpensive nature and is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without material departure from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason l do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my inends of the sections and adapted to fold lo vention 1n practice, except as hereinafter thereover.

claimed. In testimony whereof I hereunto aix my clairn: 1 signature in the presence of two witnesses.

hay rack comprising a lura ity of sections, means for hingedly Ii3onnecting ad- JAMES P' WATSON jacent margins of the sections whereby the Witnesses: same may be folded one upon the other, and CHAS. PFLANZ, ladders pivotally engaged with the opposite. GUY MUNDELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

